Self-locking hanging device

ABSTRACT

A self-closing and locking device for hanging objects on a mounting surface is disclosed. The device includes a mounting bracket and a locking arm member translatably engaged with an elongated track portion of the mounting bracket. The track portion comprises a pair of guide portions defining a slot therebetween, and rear recesses in a back side of the guide portions. The rear recesses comprise lower locking portions, and upper rotating portions that are deeper than the locking portions. The arm member comprises a base portion that is positioned within the rear recesses, and an arm portion that extends from the base portion and through the slot. The device is configured such that the arm member is oriented in a closed position when the base portion is engaged with the locking portions, and orientable in an open position when the base portion is engaged with the rotating portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-ProvisionalApplication No. 17/323,855, filed on May 18, 2021, and entitledSelf-Locking Hanging Device, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Non-Provisional Application No. 17/023,571, filed on Sep. 17, 2020, andentitled Self-Locking Hanging Device and Related Methods, which is acontinuation of PCT International Patent No. PCT/US2019/024158, filed onMar. 27, 2019, and entitled Self-Locking Hanging Device and RelatedMethods, which claims priority benefit of U.S. Non-ProvisionalApplication No. 15/936,405, filed Mar. 26, 2018, and entitledSelf-Locking Device for Hanging Objects, which are hereby expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to hardware for hanging objectson a surface. More particularly, the present disclosure relates toself-locking devices for hanging objects on a wall or other surface.

BACKGROUND

Typical hardware that is affixed to a wall or other surface for hangingan object thereon includes nails, screws, hooks and the like. Whenhanging an object on hanging hardware that is affixed to a surface, itmay be difficult to assure that the object is seated correctly on thehanging hardware. For example, an object (such as a frame) may have awire affixed to, and stretched across, the back thereof that is used tohang the object on the hardware. In other examples, various differenttypes of hardware, such as hooks, D-rings, sawtooth hangers or the like,may be attached to the back of an object to hang the object on a wall orother surface. Due to the difficulty of seeing behind the object whenholding the object up to the wall or other surface to mate the hanginghardware, it may be challenging to confirm that the hardware attached tothe object is properly engaged with the hardware attached to the wall orother surface. In addition, there is often a risk that the hardwareattached to the object may become dislodged from the wall hardware asthe person hanging the objects releases the object.

Some other typical hardware that is utilized to hang an object includesclips and carabineers (e.g., spring loaded carabineers), which may beused as picture frame hangers. Some such devices are fixed in placelaterally on the object itself, and typically do not lock the objectonto the wall. Some other such devices comprise a dual step systemincluding a surface/wall bracket and an object bracket that coupletogether to fix an object onto a surface/wall such that the objectcannot move laterally. Some such devices do not lock the object onto thesurface/wall. Other such devices lock the object onto the surface/wallto help prevent removal and/or theft thereof, such as through the use ofspecialized hardware on the surface/wall and/or on object itself and/orone or more specialized tool(s).

New and improved devices, systems, and methods for securing objects towalls or other surfaces are therefore needed to overcome the above-noteddrawbacks of the currently available solutions.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a self-locking device for hangingobjects on a surface, such as a wall or surface that is angled withrespect to horizontal (e.g., vertical, nearly vertical or partiallyvertical). The device may comprise a hanging arm or hook member thatslidably mates within a slot of a mounting bracket. The mounting bracketis configured to removably or fixedly couple to the surface. The armmember is rotatable with respect to the mounting bracket in at least oneposition along the slot of the mounting bracket, and is rotatably fixedor locked with respect to the mounting bracket in at least one otherposition along the slot. The mounting bracket may be configured tofixedly or removably attach (and/or detach) to a wall or other surfacewithout specialized tools or equipment. The arm member may be configuredto fixedly or removably attach (and/or detach) with the mounting bracketwithout specialized tools or equipment.

The arm member is reconfigurable with respect to the mounting bracketfrom an open position to a closed and locked position. The open positionof the arm member allows a portion of an object to be positioned betweenan open space between the mounting bracket and the arm member, and bephysically supported by at least one of the mounting bracket and the armmember. In the closed and locked position of the arm member, the armmember and the mounting bracket may form an enclosed space that extendsabout a portion of the object, and the arm member and/or the mountingbracket may physically support the object. In some embodiments, in theclosed and locked position of the arm member, the arm member may beselectively locked in the closed position such that the arm memberremains in the closed position until the arm member is manuallyselectively reconfigured into the open position. In some otherembodiments, in the closed and locked position of the arm member with aportion of the object positioned within the enclosed space, the armmember may be fixedly locked in the closed position such that the armmember cannot be manually selectively reconfigured into the openposition.

The arm member may be slidable along a track portion of the mountingbracket. The track portion of the mounting bracket may define anelongated slot. The track portion may be configured to allow the armmember to rotate into the open position when in a first upper portion ofthe track portion, but locked in the closed positioned within otherportions (e.g., lower portions) of the track portion.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a self-locking device forhanging an object on a mounting surface, comprising a mounting bracketfor coupling to the mounting surface and a locking arm member forholding an object between the mounting bracket and the arm member. Themounting bracket comprising a front side, a back side for engaging themounting surface, and a track portion. The track portion comprises apair of guide portions, a pair of lip portions extending from a lowerend of the guide portions and away from the front side that define freeends, a pair of rotation portions extending from an upper end of theguide portions, and a slot extending between the pairs of guideportions, lip portions and rotation portions. The locking arm membermated with the track portion of the mounting bracket such that the armmember is translatable along the track portion. The arm member comprisesa tip portion, a base portion positioned at least partially within theslot, and at least two pairs of projections extending from the baseportion that engage with one of the pairs of guide portions, lipportions and rotation portions depending upon the position of the armmember along the track portion. The lip portions and the arm member areconfigured such that when the at least two pairs of projections engage aportion of the pair of lip portions, each lip portion extends betweenrespective pair of projections of the at least two pairs of projections,and the arm member is oriented with respect the mounting bracket suchthat the arm member extends through the slot and at least the tipportion is positioned past the back side of the mounting bracket. Theguide portions and the arm member are configured such that when the atleast two pairs of projections engage the pair of guide portions, theguide portions extend between a respective pair of projections of the atleast two pairs of projections, and the arm member is oriented withrespect the mounting bracket in a closed orientation with the tipportion being positioned proximate to the front side of the mountingbracket. The rotation portions and the arm member are configured suchthat when the at least two pairs of projections engage the pair ofrotation portions, the rotation portions extend between a respectivepair of projections of the at least two pairs of projections, and thearm member is freely rotatable with respect to the mounting bracketbetween the closed orientation and an open orientation with the tipportion being positioned distal to the front side of the mountingbracket as compared to the closed orientation.

In some embodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portion of thearm member extends only partially through the slot, is positioned evenwith the front side of the mounting bracket or is spaced above the frontside of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 15 degrees. Insome embodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is positioned within the slot. In some embodiments, in the closedorientation, the tip portion of the arm member is positioned even withthe front side of the mounting bracket. In some embodiments, in theclosed orientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced abovethe front side of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 15degrees. In some embodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portionof the arm member is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracketby less than or equal to 10 degrees. In some embodiments, in the closedorientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced above the frontside of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 5 degrees.

In some embodiments, in the open orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracket by lessthan or equal to 120 degrees. In some embodiments, in the openorientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced above the frontside of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 90 degrees. Insome embodiments, in the open orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracket by lessthan or equal to 45 degrees. In some embodiments, in the openorientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced above the frontside of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 30 degrees.

In some embodiments, the back side of the mounting bracket comprises anengagement surface for engaging the mounting surface and a recessedportion aligned with the track portion, the recessed portion comprisingunderside surfaces of at least the pairs of guide portions and rotationportions that are spaced from the engagement surface. In someembodiments, the lip portions are arcuate members that extend from afront face of the front side of the mounting bracket, and the lipportions each comprise an arcuately concave front face.

In some embodiments, in the closed orientation of the arm member, thearm member is configured such that a gap extends below an underside ofthe arm member and above the front side of the mounting bracket. In somesuch embodiments, in the closed orientation of the arm member, a portionof the object extends through the gap.

In some embodiments, the back side of the mounting bracket is configuredto mount to the mounting surface via at least one of an adhesivematerial, a fastener and hook and loop material. In some embodiments, atop side of the mounting bracket comprises an arcuately convex surfacethat extends between the back side and the front side. In someembodiments, the track portion further comprises a support member thatextends across the slot, and the rotation portions are positionedbetween the support member and the lip portions along the track portion.In some such embodiments, the tip portion of the arm member comprises ahook projection, and the hook projection is configured to engage thesupport member when the arm member is in the closed orientation andpositioned in a locking position along the track portion.

In some embodiments, the arm member defines an arcuately convex shapewith respect to a front side of the arm member. In some embodiments, anunderside of the arm member includes a projection extending toward thefront side of the mounting bracket when the arm member is in the closedorientation. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket further comprisesat least one attachment aperture extending therethrough from the frontside to the back side.

In some embodiments, the mounting bracket further comprises at least onehook portion extending from the front side, the at least one hookportion including at least one upper support surface configured tophysically support a portion of the object thereon. In some suchembodiments, the at least one hook portion comprises at pair of hookportions positioned on opposing sides of the slot. In some other suchembodiments, the at least one hook portion overlaps with a rotationportion of the pair of rotation portions. In some other suchembodiments, the at least one hook portion is positioned between thepair of rotation portions and the pair of lip portions along the trackportion. In some other such embodiments, in the closed orientation, aportion of the arm member is positioned adjacent to the at least onehook portion and even with or below a front edge of the at least oneupper support surface thereof.

In some embodiments, a first guide portion of the pair of guide portionsand a first rotation recess of the pair of rotation recesses comprisecontiguous and aligned first planar front surfaces at the front side ofthe mounting bracket on a first side of the slot, and a second guideportion of the pair of guide portions and a second rotation recess ofthe pair of rotation recesses comprise contiguous and aligned secondplanar front surfaces at the front side of the mounting bracket on asecond side of the slot.

In some embodiments, the pair of rotation recesses comprise rearrecesses in a back side thereof. In some such embodiments, the pair ofrotation recesses comprise planar front side surfaces opposing the rearrecesses. In some such other embodiments, the pair of rotation recesseseach comprise a front convex end surface extending from to a respectiveguide portion of the pair of guide portions. In some such otherembodiments, the pair of rotation recesses each comprise a rear stop endsurface that is distal to a respective guide portion of the pair ofguide portions configured to engage with and retain one of theprojections of the pairs of projections in the rear recess thereof andretain the arm member in the open orientation.

In some embodiments, the pair of rotation recesses comprise firstthicknesses extending between a front face thereof at the front side anda back face thereof at the back side, the pair of guide portionscomprise second thicknesses extending between a front face thereof atthe front side and a back face thereof at the back side, and the firstthicknesses are less than the second thicknesses. In some suchembodiments, the back faces of the pair of rotation recesses are formedby bottom surfaces of recesses.

In some embodiments, the projections of each pair of projections arespaced a first distance apart, the lip portions each define a firstthickness between a front face thereof and a back face thereof, and thefirst distances and the first thicknesses are relatively sized such thata portion of the lip portions securely orients the arm member such thatthe arm member is prevented from rotating with respect to the mountingsuch that the tip portion of the is not positioned past the back side ofthe mounting bracket. In some embodiments, when the back side of themounting bracket is coupled to and abuts the mounting surface, themounting surface prevents the member arm from translating fully over thelip portions by preventing the arm member from orienting with respect tothe mounting bracket such that the tip portion extends past the backside of the mounting bracket.

In some embodiments, the projections of each pair of projections arespaced a first distance apart, the guide portions each define a firstthickness between a front face thereof and a back face thereof, and thefirst distances and the first thicknesses are relatively sized such thatthe guide portions securely orient the arm member in the closedorientation such that the arm member is prevented from rotating withrespect to the mounting bracket out of the closed orientation. In somesuch embodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is positioned within the slot. In some other such embodiments, inthe closed orientation, the tip portion of the arm member is positionedeven with the front side of the mounting bracket. In some other suchembodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracket by lessthan or equal to 15 degrees.

In some embodiments, the projections of each pair of projections arespaced a first distance apart, the rotation portions each define aminimum thickness between a front face thereof and a back face thereof,and the first distances and the minimum thicknesses are relatively sizedsuch that the arm member is freely rotatable with respect to themounting bracket between the closed orientation and the openorientation.

In some embodiments, the mounting bracket is of one-piece construction.In some embodiments, the mounting bracket comprises a front portion thatdefines the front side and the track portion of the mounting bracket,and a base portion that is coupled to an underside of the mountingbracket that defines the back side of the mounting bracket.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of hangingan object on a mounting surface. The method comprises obtaining aself-locking device. The self-locking device comprising a mountingbracket and a locking arm. The mounting bracket comprises a front side,a back side, and a track portion. The track portion comprises a pair ofguide portions, a pair of lip portions extending from a lower end of theguide portions and away from the front side that define free ends, apair of rotation portions extending from an upper end of the guideportions, and a slot extending between the pairs of guide portions, lipportions and rotation portions. The locking arm member comprises a tipportion, a base portion configured to be positioned at least partiallywithin the slot, and at least two pairs of projections extending fromthe base portion configured to engage with one of the pairs of guideportions, lip portions and rotation portions. The method furthercomprises mounting the arm member on the pair of lip portions such thatthe base portion is positioned at least partially within the slot, eachlip portion extends between a respective pair of projections of the atleast two pairs of projections, and the arm member is oriented withrespect the mounting bracket such that the arm member extends throughthe slot and at least the tip portion is positioned past the back sideof the mounting bracket. The method also comprises translating the armmember along the pair of lip portions to the pair of guide portions suchthat each guide portion extends between a respective pair of projectionsof the at least two pairs of projections, and the arm member is orientedwith respect the mounting bracket in a closed orientation with the tipportion being positioned proximate to the front side of the mountingbracket. The method further comprises translating the arm member alongthe pair of guide portions in the closed orientation to the pair ofrotation portions such that each guide portion is mounted on therotation with the rotation portions extending between a respective pairof projections of the at least two pairs of projections. The methodfurther comprises rotating the arm member on the pair of guide portionsfrom the closed orientation to an open orientation with the tip portionbeing positioned distal to the front side of the mounting bracket ascompared to the closed orientation. The method further comprisespositioning a portion of an object between the arm member and the frontside of the mounting bracket. The method also comprises rotating the armmember on the pair of guide portions from the open orientation to theclosed orientation.

In some embodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portion of thearm member is positioned within the slot. In some embodiments, in theclosed orientation, the tip portion of the arm member is positioned evenwith the front side of the mounting bracket. In some embodiments, in theclosed orientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced abovethe front side of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 15degrees. In some embodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portionof the arm member is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracketby less than or equal to 10 degrees. In some embodiments, in the closedorientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced above the frontside of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 5 degrees.

In some embodiments, in the open orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracket by lessthan or equal to 120 degrees. In some embodiments, in the openorientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced above the frontside of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 90 degrees. Insome embodiments, in the open orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracket by lessthan or equal to 45 degrees. In some embodiments, in the openorientation, the tip portion of the arm member is spaced above the frontside of the mounting bracket by less than or equal to 30 degrees.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises coupling the mountingbracket to the mounting surface such that the back side abuts themounting surface after rotating the arm member on the pair of guideportions from the open orientation to the closed orientation. In somesuch embodiments, the back side of the mounting bracket comprises anengagement surface for abutting the mounting surface and a recessedportion aligned with the track portion, the recessed portion comprisingunderside surfaces of at least the pairs of guide portions and rotationportions that are spaced from the engagement surface. In some other suchembodiments, the mounting bracket further comprises at least oneattachment aperture extending therethrough from the front side to theback side, and coupling the mounting bracket to the mounting surfacecomprises driving at least one fixation member through the at least oneattachment portion and into the mounting surface.

In some embodiments, positioning a portion of an object between the armmember and the front side of the mounting bracket comprises positioningthe portion of the object on an underside of the arm member such thatthe arm member physically supports the object. In some embodiments, thetrack portion further comprises a support member that extends across theslot, the tip portion of the arm member comprises a hook projection, andfurther comprising translating the arm member along the guide portionsto engage the hook projection mated with the support member afterrotating the arm member on the pair of guide portions from the openorientation to the closed orientation. In some embodiments, the lipportions are arcuate members that extend from a front face of the frontside of the mounting bracket, and the lip portions each comprise anarcuately concave front face.

In some embodiments, in the closed orientation of the arm member, thearm member forms a gap that extends below an underside of the arm memberand above the front side of the mounting bracket. In some embodiments, atop side of the mounting bracket comprises an arcuately convex surfacethat extends between the back side and the front side. In someembodiments, the arm member defines an arcuately convex shape withrespect to a front side of the arm member. In some embodiments, anunderside of the arm member includes a projection extending toward thefront side of the mounting bracket when the arm member is in the closedorientation.

In some embodiments, the mounting bracket further comprises at least onehook portion extending from the front side, the at least one hookportion including at least one upper support surface configured tophysically support a portion of the object thereon, and positioning aportion of an object between the arm member and the front side of themounting bracket comprises positioning the portion of the object on theat least one upper support surface. In some such embodiments, the atleast one hook portion comprises at pair of hook portions positioned onopposing sides of the slot. In some other such embodiments, the at leastone hook portion overlaps with a rotation portion of the pair ofrotation portions. In some other such embodiments, the at least one hookportion is positioned between the pair of rotation portions and the pairof lip portions along the track portion. In some other such embodiments,in the closed orientation, a portion of the arm member is positionedadjacent to the at least one hook portion and even with or below a frontedge of the at least one upper support surface thereof.

In some embodiments, a first guide portion of the pair of guide portionsand a first rotation recess of the pair of rotation recesses comprisecontiguous and aligned first planar front surfaces at the front side ofthe mounting bracket on a first side of the slot, and a second guideportion of the pair of guide portions and a second rotation recess ofthe pair of rotation recesses comprise contiguous and aligned secondplanar front surfaces at the front side of the mounting bracket on asecond side of the slot. In some embodiments, the pair of rotationrecesses comprise rear recesses in a back side thereof. In some suchembodiments, the pair of rotation recesses comprise planar front sidesurfaces opposing the rear recesses. In some other such embodiments, thepair of rotation recesses each comprise a front convex end surfaceextending from to a respective guide portion of the pair of guideportions. In some other such embodiments, the pair of rotation recesseseach comprise a rear stop end surface that is distal to a respectiveguide portion of the pair of guide portions configured to engage withand retain one of the projections of the pairs of projections in therear recess thereof and retain the arm member in the open orientation.

In some embodiments, the pair of rotation recesses comprise firstthicknesses extending between a front face thereof at the front side anda back face thereof at the back side, the pair of guide portionscomprise second thicknesses extending between a front face thereof atthe front side and a back face thereof at the back side, and the firstthicknesses are less than the second thicknesses. In some suchembodiments, the back faces of the pair of rotation recesses are formedby bottom surfaces of recesses.

In some embodiments, the projections of each pair of projections arespaced a first distance apart, the lip portions each define a firstthickness between a front face thereof and a back face thereof, and thefirst distances and the first thicknesses are relatively sized such thata portion of the lip portions securely orients the arm member such thatthe arm member is prevented from rotating with respect to the mountingsuch that the tip portion of the is not positioned past the back side ofthe mounting bracket. In some embodiments, when the mounting bracket iscoupled to the mounting surface, the mounting surface prevents themember arm from translating fully over the lip portions by preventingthe arm member from orienting with respect to the mounting bracket suchthat the tip portion extends past the back side of the mounting bracket.

In some embodiments, the projections of each pair of projections arespaced a first distance apart, the guide portions each define a firstthickness between a front face thereof and a back face thereof, and thefirst distances and the first thicknesses are relatively sized such thatthe guide portions securely orient the arm member in the closedorientation such that the arm member is prevented from rotating withrespect to the mounting bracket out of the closed orientation. In somesuch embodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is positioned within the slot. In some other such embodiments, inthe closed orientation, the tip portion of the arm member is positionedeven with the front side of the mounting bracket. In some other suchembodiments, in the closed orientation, the tip portion of the armmember is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracket by lessthan or equal to 15 degrees.

In some embodiments, the projections of each pair of projections arespaced a first distance apart, the rotation portions each define aminimum thickness between a front face thereof and a back face thereof,and the first distances and the minimum thicknesses are relatively sizedsuch that the arm member is freely rotatable with respect to themounting bracket between the closed orientation and the openorientation.

In some embodiments, the mounting bracket is of one-piece construction.In some embodiments, the mounting bracket comprises a front portion thatdefines the front side and the track portion of the mounting bracket,and a base portion that is coupled to an underside of the mountingbracket that defines the back side of the mounting bracket.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing aspectsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

These and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure willbecome apparent from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure andtogether with the detailed description herein, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. It is emphasized that, in accordance withthe standard practice in the industry, various features may or may notbe drawn to scale. For example, dimensions of various features may bearbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion. The drawingsare presented for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the disclosureand are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Like referencenumerals are utilized throughout the figures of differing embodiments ofthe disclosure to represent like components, aspects, features,functions and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevational perspective view of an exemplarymounting bracket of an exemplary self-closing hanging device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mounting bracket ofFIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the mounting bracket ofFIG. 1 in engagement with an exemplary base portion in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational perspective view of an exemplarylocking arm of the self-closing hanging device for engagement with themounting bracket of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the locking arm of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of the of FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary self-closinghanging device comprising the locking arm of FIGS. 4-6 being initiallyengaged with the mounting bracket of FIGS. 1-3 in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front perspective view of the self-closing hangingdevice of FIG. 3 with the mounting bracket arranged in an installed andopen orientation in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of the self-closing hangingdevice of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the self-closinghanging device of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11 illustrates an elevational perspective view of the self-closinghanging device of FIG. 7 with the mounting bracket arranged in a closedand locked orientation in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the self-closing hanging device ofFIG. 11 .

FIG. 13A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the self-closinghanging device of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13B illustrates an elevational side perspective cross-sectionalview of the self-closing hanging device of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13C illustrates a bottom perspective cross-sectional view of theself-closing hanging device of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 13D illustrates another bottom perspective side cross-sectionalview of the self-closing hanging device of FIG. 11 .

FIG. 14 illustrates an elevational perspective view of another exemplarymounting bracket in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates an elevational perspective view of another exemplarylocking arm in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary self-closinghanging device with the locking arm thereof in an open orientation inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary self-closinghanging device of FIG. 15 with the locking arm thereof in a closedorientation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary mountingbracket of a self-closing hanging device in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplary mountingbracket of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 illustrates a rear perspective view of the exemplary mountingbracket of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary self-closinghanging device with a two-part mounting bracket and an arm member in anopen position in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary self-closinghanging device of FIG. 21 with the arm member in a closed position inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23 illustrates a side perspective view of another exemplaryself-closing hanging device with a mounting bracket and an arm member ina disassembled state in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplaryself-closing hanging device of FIG. 23 in the disassembled state inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a rear perspective view of the exemplaryself-closing hanging device of FIG. 23 in the disassembled state inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 26 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplaryself-closing hanging device of FIG. 23 in the disassembled state inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 27 illustrates a side enlarged perspective view of a base portionof the arm member of the exemplary self-closing hanging device of FIG.23 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 illustrates a rear perspective view of the exemplaryself-closing hanging device of FIG. 23 with the mounting bracket and thearm member in an assembled state and the arm member in an open positionin accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 29 illustrates a side perspective view of the exemplaryself-closing hanging device with the mounting bracket and he arm memberin an assembled state and the arm member in an open position inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 30 illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplaryself-closing hanging device with the mounting bracket and he arm memberin an assembled state and the arm member in a closed position inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure and certain examples, features,advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below withreference to the non-limiting examples illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Descriptions of well-known materials, fabrication tools,processing techniques, etc., are omitted so as not to unnecessarilyobscure the relevant details. It should be understood, however, that thedetailed description and the specific examples, while indicating aspectsof the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, and are not byway of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions,and/or arrangements, within the spirit and/or scope of the underlyinginventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout disclosure, may beapplied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissiblyvary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it isrelated. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as“about” or “substantially,” is not limited to the precise valuespecified. For example, these terms can refer to less than or equal to±5%, such as less than or equal to ±2%, such as less than or equal to±1%, such as less than or equal to ±0.5%, such as less than or equal to±0.2%, such as less than or equal to ±0.1%, such as less than or equalto ±0.05%. In some instances, the approximating language may correspondto the precision of an instrument for measuring the value.

Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexamples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Furthermore, references to one “example” or “embodiment” are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalexamples that also incorporate the recited features.

Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the terms“comprising” (and any form of “comprise,” such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of “have,” such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of “include,” such as “includes” and“including”), and “contain” (and any form of “contain,” such as“contains” and “containing”) are used as open-ended linking verbs. As aresult, any examples that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains”one or more step or element possesses such one or more step or element,but is not limited to possessing only such one or more step or element.

As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility ofan occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specifiedproperty, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb byexpressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibilityassociated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “maybe” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable,or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while takinginto account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimesnot be appropriate, capable or suitable. For example, in somecircumstances, an event or capacity can be expected, while in othercircumstances the event or capacity cannot occur - this distinction iscaptured by the terms “may” and “may be.” The terms “orientation” and“position” as used herein with respect to the physical arrangementbetween a mounting bracket and an arm member (or the like) are usedsynonymously.

Components, aspects, features, configurations, arrangements, uses andthe like described, illustrated or otherwise disclosed herein withrespect to any particular figure or embodiment may similarly be appliedto any other figure or embodiment disclosed herein.

The present disclosure provides a self-closing of self-locking devicefor hanging objects on a surface, such as a wall or surface that isangled with respect to horizontal (e.g., vertical, nearly vertical orpartially vertical). The device may comprise a hanging arm or hookmember that slidably mates with an elongated track portion of a mountingbracket. The mounting bracket is configured to removably or fixedlycouple to the surface. The arm member is rotatable with respect to themounting bracket in at least one position along the track portion of themounting bracket, and is rotatably fixed or locked with respect to themounting bracket in at least one other position along the track portion.The mounting bracket may be configured to fixedly or removably attach(and/or detach) to a wall or other surface without specialized tools orequipment. The arm member may be configured to fixedly or removablyattach (and/or detach) with the track portion of the mounting bracketwithout specialized tools or equipment.

The arm member is reconfigurable with respect to the mounting bracketfrom an open position to a closed and locked orientation/position. Theopen position of the arm member allows a portion of an object to bepositioned between an open space between the mounting bracket and thearm member, and be physically supported by at least one of the mountingbracket and the arm member. In the closed and locked position of the armmember, the arm member and the mounting bracket may form an enclosedspace that extends about a portion of the object, and the arm memberand/or the mounting bracket may physically support the object. In someembodiments, in the closed and locked position of the arm member, thearm member may be selectively locked in the closed position such thatthe arm member remains in the closed position until the arm member ismanually selectively reconfigured into the open position. In some otherembodiments, in the closed and locked position of the arm member with aportion of the object positioned within the enclosed space, the armmember may be fixedly locked in the closed position such that the armmember cannot be manually selectively reconfigured into the openposition.

The arm member may be slidable along the elongate track portion of themounting bracket. For example, the track portion of the mounting bracketmay define an elongated slot between opposing rail portions, and the armmember may be slidable along the rail portions and within the slotportion. The track portion may be configured to allow the arm member torotate into the open position when positioned at a first upper portionof the track portion, and orient and lock the arm member in the closedpositioned when positioned at other portions (e.g., lower portions) ofthe track portion.

The self-locking/closing device may be used to hang any object to anymounting surface. For example, without limitation, the self-lockingdevice may hang various different objects, such as framed, pictures,mirrors, canvases, signs, shelves, clocks, plants, sculptures, lighting,tools, etc. to a multiplicity of suitable mounting surfaces including,but not limited to, walls, posts, ceilings, floors, doors, fences,furniture, appliances, etc.

FIG. 7-13D illustrate an exemplary self-locking/closing device 300 forhanging objects on a wall or other surface according to the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 1-3 and 7-13D further illustrate an exemplary mountingbracket 100 of the self-locking device 300. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ,the mounting bracket 100 may include a front side 102 and a rear or backside 104. In use of the self-locking/closing device 300, the rear side104 of the mounting bracket 100 may face and be coupled to a wall orother mounting surface. The rear side 104 of the mounting bracket 100may be directly or indirectly coupled to the mounting surface, asdescribed further below. In some embodiments, the mounting surface mayextend or be oriented vertically or be angled vertically abovehorizonal.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the front side 102 of the mounting bracket 100 mayinclude at least one hook member or portion 110 that extends outwardlyfrom a front face portion or surface 106. In some embodiments, themounting bracket 100 may include a pair of hook members 110 extendingoutwardly from the front face 106, such as being positioned on opposingsides of a track portion of the mounting bracket 100 comprising a pairof guide, track or rail portions 115 and a slot 116 therebetween. The atleast one hook member 110 may extend at an angle with respect to thefront face 106, such as at an acute angle with respect to a top edge orside of the mounting bracket 100. The at least one hook member 110 maybe configured to physically support a portion of an object thereon sothat the mounting bracket 100 supports and couples the object to themounting surface (when the mounting bracket 100 is affixed to themounting surface). For example, the at least one hook member 110 may beconfigured to physically support at least one portion and/or hardware ofan object (e.g., a hanging wire on the back of a frame or other object)thereon. The at least one hook member 110 may comprise any configurationor types of hooks or other connectors members or hardware that isconfigured to engage with and physically support a portion of an object,such as a portion of the object itself and/or hanging hardware attachedto the object (e.g., eyes or circular rings, D-rings, sawtooth hangers,wires/ropes, nails/screws, hooks, keyholes, clips, other hooks, etc.).

In some embodiments, the guide portions 115 of the track portion of themounting bracket 100 may each include a curved lip end portion 117 at abottom or lower end of the mounting bracket 100 that is proximate to thebottom or lower end of the mounting bracket 100, as shown in FIG. 1 . Asshown in FIG. 1 , the curved lip end portions 117 of the guide portions115 may extend away from the front side 102 of the mounting bracket 102and define free ends. The curved lip end portions 117 may be concavewith respect to the front face 106. The curved lip end portions 117 maybe arcuate and defined by one or more radii. In some other embodiments(not shown), the end lip end portions 117 may be linear (e.g., an angledflat or planar portion) or rectilinear. In some embodiments, the degreeof the angle or curvature of the curved lip end portions 117 may bebased on various factors such as, but not limited to, the size of thetrack portion and the length of the arm member 200. In some embodiments,the degree of the angle or curvature of the curved lip end portions 117may be within the range of about 30 to about 70 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the curved lip end portions 117 may be configuredto force, direct or orient, and retain, an arm member 200 of theself-locking/closing device 300 into orientations such that the armmember 200 extends through the slot 116 and past the rear side 104 ofthe mounting bracket 102 (and potentially past a rear or back side of abase plate 105 coupled to the rear side 104 of the mounting bracket 102,of provided). The curved lip end portions 117 may thereby be configuredto direct the arm member 200 past a rear or back side, surface or extent124 of the self-locking/closing device 300 itself as the arm member 200slides or translates along or over the curved lip end portions 117. Inthis way, when the back side 124 of the self-locking/closing device 300(which may be the back side 104 of the mounting bracket 100 or the backside of the base plate 105 attached thereto, for example) is coupled toand abutting a mounting surface, the arm member 200 is unable to orprevented from sliding/translating fully through or past the curved lipend portions 117 because the mounting surface prevents the arm member200 from rotating/orienting into the orientation(s) that would allow thearm member 200 pass through/over the curved lip end portions 117 (i.e.,the arm member 200 would hot against the mounting surface and preventproper orientation of the arm member 200 would that would allow the armmember 200 pass through/over the curved lip end portions 117), as shownin FIGS. 1 and 13D. The curved lip end portions 117 may thereby act tolock the arm member 200 in a fully closed position when back side 124 ofthe self-locking/closing device 300 is coupled to and abutting amounting surface. Further, the curved lip end portions 117 may act toorient and retain the arm member 200 in a fully closed position with aportion of the arm member 200 (e.g., a tip portion 227 and/or projectionthereof) positioned within the slot 116 and potentially against themounting surface (when back side 124 of the self-locking/closing device300 is coupled to and abutting a mounting surface). Further, in suchembodiments, the arm member 200 must thereby be installed or loaded ontothe curved lip end portions 117 of the track portion before or prior tothe self-locking/closing device 300 being affixed to a mounting surface(e.g., a wall or other surface), as the mounting surface would preventthe arm member 200 from being oriented such that it extends bast therear side 104 of the mounting bracket 102 to a sufficient degree (sothat the curved lip end portions 117 can fit and extend betweenprojections or posts 205 of the arm member 200, as described furtherbelow).

When the back side 124 of the self-locking/closing device 300 is notaffixed or abutting the mounting surface (or another surface), thecurved lip end portions 117 oriented the arm member 200 such that isextends past the back side 124, and thereby the arm member 200 canfreely slide/translate fully through or past the curved lip end portions117. In some embodiments, the arm member 200 may initially beintroduced, assembled or coupled with the track portion of the mountingbracket 100 when the back side 124 of the self-locking/closing device300 is not affixed or abutting the mounting surface (or anothersurface), as shown in FIG. 7 .

As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-13D, the guide portions 115 of the trackportion of the mounting bracket 100 may extend from (e.g., may becontiguous with) the curved lip end portions 117. The guide portions 115may extend upwardly from the curved lip end portions 117. In someembodiments, the guide portions 115 may extend linearly and parallel toeach other (and the slot 116 formed therebetween may thereby extendlinearly and include parallel sides). In some embodiments, innersurfaces of the guide portions 115 that define the slot or recess 116therebetween may be flat/linear. For example, the inner surfaces of theguide portions 115 that define the slot or recess 116 therebetween maybe planar and extend perpendicularly (and between) the front face 106and the rear face 104 of the track portion. However, in otherembodiments, the inner surfaces of the guide portions 115 may not beplanar and/or may not be oriented perpendicular to the front face 106and/or the rear face 104 of the track portion.

The guide portions 115 may define a thickness between the front face 106and/or the rear face 104 of the track portion (e.g., measuredperpendicularly between the front face 106 and the rear face 104). Theguide portions 115 may define a constant thickness along their length(i.e., along the length of the track portion). For example, the frontface 106 and/or the rear face 104 of the track portion may be planar andoriented parallel to each other. In some embodiments, each of the pairof guide portions 115 may define the same thickness as each other alongthe lengths thereof. In some embodiments, the thickness of the guideportions 115 may vary slightly along its length, such as by less than orequal to about a 25% variation, or by less than or equal to about a 10%variation.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8-11 and 13A-13D, an upper portion of the trackportion (spaced from the curved lip end portions 117) of the mountingbracket 100 may include rotation portions 118. The rotation portions 118may be provided at an upper end of the guide portions 115, and may bealigned with each other. The rotation recesses 118 may define upper endsof the guide portions 115. In some other embodiments, the guide portions115 may extend past the rotation recesses 118.

The rotation portions 118 may include recesses or indentations in therear or underside 104 (and/or front face 106) of the track portion. Thelower sides of the recesses of the rotation portions 118 in theunderside 104 of the track portion may smoothly transition from theunderside 104 of the guide portions 115. For example, the recesses ofthe rotation portions 118 may arcuately extend (e.g., convexly) from theguide portions 115, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 10 and 13A-13D. The uppersides or ends of the rotation portions 118 opposing the guide portions115 may transition or extend more sharply to the adjacent portions ofthe underside 104 than the lower sides of the rotation portions 118. Thesides or ends of the rotation portions 11 may thereby define thicknessesbeyond the recessed or indented portions that are thicker than theindentations/recesses to force or keep the arm member posts 205 withinthe indentations/recesses (and causing and/or allowing rotation of thearm member 200). The rotation portions 118 may thereby prevent the armmember 200 from leaving the top portion of the track portion (andspecifically the rotation portions 118).

The rotation portions 118 may define a relatively thin portion of thetrack portion as compared to the thickness of the guide portions 115. Insome embodiments, the rotation portions 118 may comprise relatively thinportions of the guide portions 115. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 8-11 and13A-13D, the rotation portions 118 may define recesses or indentationsin the underside 104 of the track portion such that the thicknessbetween the front face 106 and the “lowest” or “bottom” portion of theunderside 104 of the rotation portions 118 is relatively thinner thanthe thickness of the underside of the guide portions 115 and the frontface 106. As explained further below, the relatively thin thickness ofthe rotation portions 118 of the track portion of the mounting bracket100 allow the arm member 200 to be able to rotate from the closed potioninto the open positioned (with respect to the mounting bracket 100), asshown in FIGS. 8-10 . The “lowest” or “bottom” surface of the recessesin the underside 104 of the rotation portions 118 may comprise a convexsurface or a planar surface, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 7-11 and 13A-13D, the rotation portions 118 mayextend at least partially beneath the hook portions 110. For example,the recesses of the rotation portions 118 in the underside 104 of thetrack portion may be positioned, at least partially, beneath the hookportions, as shown in FIGS. 1, 7-11 and 13A-13D. In some embodiments,the portions of the front face 106 comprising the guide portions 115 andthe rotation portions 118 may be flat or planar. However, in otherembodiments the rotation portions 118 may be positioned past the hookportions 110 such that the hook portions 110 are positioned between therotation portions 118 and the curved lip end portions 117 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 17-19 , or the mounting bracket 100 may be void of the hookportions 110 (see, e.g., FIGS. 14, 16 and 17 ). In such embodiments, therotation portions 118 may comprise portions of the front face 106 of themounting bracket 100 (which may be planar and contiguous and parallelwith planar portions of the front face 106 of the guide portions 115)and the recessed underside 104 portion of the track portion of themounting bracket 100 (i.e., recessed with respect to at least theunderside 104 portion of the guide portions 115 of the mounting bracket100.

As shown in FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the back side 124 of theself-locking/closing device 300 may be defined by a base portion 105and/or a cap portion 125 that are coupled to the mounting plate 100. Asshown in FIG. 3 , the base portion 105 may be coupled to the back side104 of the mounting plate 100. The base portion 105 may include anaperture or recess that aligns with the track portion of the mountingplate 100 so that the base portion 105 does not interfere with theinteraction of the arm member 200 and the track portion (i.e., thetranslation and rotation of the arm member 200 along/on the trackportion). In this way, the underside 104 of the track portion may beexposed, as shown in FIG. 3 . Further, the base portion 105 may act tospace the mounting plate 100 away from the mounting surface. Forexample, the back side of the base portion 105 may define the back side124 of the self-locking/closing device 300 that is coupled with an abutsthe mounting surface. The base portion 105 may thereby space theunderside 104 of the track portion of the mounting bracket 100 from themounting surface when the self-locking/closing device 300 is affixedthereto. The base portion 105 may thereby prevent the mounting surfacefrom interfering with the interaction of the arm member 200 and thetrack portion (i.e., the translation and rotation of the arm member 200along/on the track portion).

As also shown in FIG. 3 , the self-locking/closing device 300 mayinclude the cap portion 125 coupled to the uppermost or top side/end ofthe mounting bracket 100 (and potentially the base plate 105). In someembodiments, the underside of the cap portion 125 may define a portionof the back side 124 of the self-locking/closing device 300. The capportion 125 may define the upper-most profile of the mounting bracket100 (and/or base plate 105). The cap portion 125 may be configured tosubstantially inhibit wires or other hanging means from catching on thetop end of the mounting bracket 100 (and/or base plate 105). As shownion FIG. 3 , the cap portion 125 may include an outer cap surface thatextends from the back side 124 to the front face 106 of the front side102 of the mounting bracket 100. In some embodiments, the outer capsurface of the cap portion 125 may be arcuate, such as arcuately convex,as shown in FIG. 3 . In some other embodiments, the outer cap surface ofthe cap portion 125 may be plana/linear or rectilinear.

Although the base portion 105 and the cap portion 125 are shown in FIG.3 as separate and distinct components that are coupled (e.g., fixedlycoupled) to the mounting bracket 100, the mounting bracket 100 and thebase portion 105 may be integral and/or the mounting bracket 100 and thecap portion 125 may be integral (see, for example, FIGS. 15-19 ). Assuch, the mounting bracket 100 of the self-locking/closing device 300may be integral or of one-piece construction (e.g., monolithic). In somesuch embodiments, the base portion 105 may be an integral portion of themounting bracket 100 that form the backside 124 thereof and spaces thetrack portion from the mounting surface.

The mounting bracket 100 (and/or the base portion 105 and/or the capportion 125) may be comprised of any material, such as, but not limitedto, one or more plastic or polymer, metal, wood, ceramic, glass,composite material or a combination thereof. The mounting bracket 100(and/or the base portion 105 and/or the cap portion 125) may be formedor manufactured via any appropriate process or processes, such as, butnot limited to, molding (e.g., injection molding), machining, casting,forging, forming, 3D printing or another additive manufacturing processor a combination thereof.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an exemplary locking arm member or mechanism 200 ofthe self-locking/closing device 300. As shown in FIGS. 4-6 , the armmember 200 includes at least two pairs of posts or projections 205extending laterally from differing sides (e.g., opposing or oppositesides) of an end pivot portion of the arm member 200. The end pivotportion of the arm member 200 may be configured to be positioned within,and translate and rotate within, the slot 116 of the track portion.

The pairs of posts 205 may each include an upper post and a lower post.The upper posts of the pairs of posts 205 may be aligned with eachother, and the lower posts of the pairs of posts 205 may be aligned witheach other. Each pair of posts 205 may define a minimum spacing ordistance therebetween. The space between the posts 205 of each pair ofposts 205 may be slightly greater than (e.g., less than or equal 5%larger, less than or equal 10% larger or less than or equal 25% larger)the maximum thickness of the track portion of the mounting bracket 100.For example, the space between the posts 205 of each pair of posts 205may be slightly larger than the maximum thickness of the guide portions115 of the track portion, which may be thicker or the same thickness asthe curved lip end portions 117 and thicker than the thickness of therotation portions 118.

The pairs of posts 205 may thereby be configured to engage and translatealong, and potentially rotated on, the track portion of the mountingbracket 100, as shown in FIG. 7-13D. As shown in FIG. 7-13D, the upperposts of the pairs of posts 205 may engage (extend over) and ride onfront face 106 of the track portion and the lower posts of the pairs ofposts 205 may engage (extend over) and ride on the underside 104 of thetrack portion. As shown in FIG. 7 , the thickness of the curved lip endportions 117 relative to the minimum space between the pairs of posts205 (and the orientation of the curved lip end portions 117) forces thearm member 200 into a locking closed position with respect to themounting bracket 100 when the curved lip end portions 117 are positionedbetween the pairs of posts 205. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , thecurved lip end portions 117 and the pairs of posts 205 may be configured(e.g., the clearance therebetween) such that the arm member 200 isangled or oriented into a position such that it extends through the slot116 and past the back side 124 of the mounting bracket 100 when thepairs pf posts 205 are positioned in at least one location along thecurved lip end portions 117 (i.e., when the pairs of posts 205 aremounted on the curved lip end portions 117 in the at least onelocation). The arm member 200 may thereby be installed on or removedfrom the curved lip end portions 117 while the mounting bracket 100 isremoved from the mounting surface.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the curved lip end portions 117 and thepairs of posts 205 may be configured (e.g., the clearance therebetween)such that the arm member 200 can be translated along the curved lip endportions 117 from the locking fully closed position to a closed positionproximate to (or mounted on) the guide portions 115. The curved lip endportions 117 and the pairs of posts 205 may be configured (e.g., theshape of the curved lip end portions 117 and the clearance therebetween)such that at least when the arm member 200 is positioned proximate to(or mounted on) the guide portions 115, the arm member 200 isre-oriented such that it no longer extends past the back side 124 of themounting bracket 100, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 . Rather, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12 , the tip of the arm member 200 may be repositionedabove the back side 124 of the mounting bracket 100, such as within theslot 116, even with the front face 106 or above the front face 106.

The pairs of posts 205 of the arm member 200 and the guide portions 115may be configured (e.g., the thickness of the curved lip end portions117 relative to the minimum space between the pairs of posts 205 may beconfigured) to orient/force the arm member 200 into a closed positionsuch that it is positioned above the back side 124 of the mountingbracket 100 and at least partially below the hook members 110 (ifprovided) and/or within the slot 116. The pairs of posts 205 and theguide portions 115 may thereby be configured to allow the pairs of posts205, and thereby the arm member 200 as a whole, to translate along thelength of the guide portions 115 when the back side 124 is positionedagainst a mounting surface. The pairs of posts 205 and the guideportions 115 may also be configured (e.g., the relative spacetherebetween) to prevent the arm member 200 from rotating with respectto the mounting bracket 100 out of the closed positioned, andpotentially into an open position with the mounting bracket 100 (e.g., atip, hook or other portion thereof) positioned away (i.e., spaced) fromthe front face 106 of the track portion of the mounting bracket 100. Inthe closed positioned or orientation, at least a portion of the armmember 200 may be positioned above the front face 106 of the mountingbracket 100 (e.g., at least the front face 104 of the track portion)and/or at least a portion of the hook portions 110 (if provided), asshown in FIG. 12 .

The guide portions 115 (and potentially a portion of the curved lip endportions 117 extending from or positioned proximate to the guideportions 115) and the arm member 200 may be configured such that the armmember 200 is oriented/positioned in the closed orientation/positionsuch that the tip portion 227 is positioned proximate to the front side102 (e.g., the front face 106 thereof) of the mounting bracket 100. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , in the closedposition/orientation of the arm member 200, at least a portion of thearm member 200 may be positioned within the slot 116 (e.g., the armmember 200 may extend only partially through the slot 116). In some suchembodiments, in the closed position/orientation of the arm member 200, atip or end portion of the arm member 200 may be positioned within theslot 116 (i.e., positioned between the front face 106 of the mountingbracket 100 and the back side 104/124 of the mounting bracket 100 withinthe slot 116). In some other embodiments, in the closedposition/orientation of the arm member 200, a tip or end portion of thearm member 200 may be positioned above/even with the slot 116 and/oreven with the front side 102 (e.g., the front face 106 thereof) of themounting bracket 100. In some other embodiments, in the closedposition/orientation of the arm member 200, an underside of a tipportion 227 of the arm member 200 may be spaced from the front side 102and/or front face 106 of the mounting bracket 100. The arm member 200may thereby be angled with respect to the front side 102 and/or frontface 106 of the mounting bracket 100. In some such embodiments, in theclosed position/orientation of the arm member 200, the tip or endportion may be spaced above the front side 102 and/or front face 106 ofthe mounting bracket 100 by less than or equal to about 15 degrees(e.g., measured between the underside of the tip portion 227 of the armmember 200 and the front face 106 from the projections 205 engaging thefront face of the track portion with respect to a top side of themounting bracket 100).

In some embodiments, in the closed position/orientation of the armmember 200, the tip or end portion may be spaced above the front side102 and/or front face 106 of the mounting bracket 100 within the rangeof about 15 degrees and about 5 degrees (e.g., measured between theunderside of the tip portion 227 of the arm member 200 and the frontface 106 from the projections 205 engaging the front face of the trackportion with respect to a top side of the mounting bracket 100). In someembodiments, in the closed position/orientation of the arm member 200,the tip or end portion may be spaced above the front side 102 and/orfront face 106 of the mounting bracket 100 less than or equal to about10 degrees, or about 5 degrees (e.g., measured between the underside ofthe tip portion 227 of the arm member 200 and the front face 106 fromthe projections 205 engaging the front face of the track portion withrespect to a top side of the mounting bracket 100). In some embodiments,in the closed position/orientation of the arm member 200, the tip or endportion may be spaced above the front side 102 and/or front face 106 ofthe mounting bracket 100 less than about 10%, or less than about 5%, ofthe spacing thereof in the open position/orientation of the arm member200 (e.g., measured between the underside of the tip portion 227 of thearm member 200 and the front face 106 from the projections 205 engagingthe front face of the track portion with respect to a top side of themounting bracket 100).

In the closed position, the arm member 200 may form an enclosed space orgap positioned above the front face 106 of the mounting bracket 100(e.g., at least the front face 104 of the track portion) and/or at leasta portion of the hook portions 110 (if provided) and beneath the armmember 200, as shown in FIG. 12 . Such a gap or space may allow aportion of an object to pass therethrough and be trapped between the armmember 200 and the front face 106 of the mounting bracket 100 (e.g., atleast the front face 104 of the track portion) and/or at least a portionof the hook portions 110 (if provided).

As shown in FIGS. 8-10 , the arm member 200 may be translated along theguide members 115 of the track portion in the closed positioned untilthe pair of posts 205 engage the rotation portions 118. Specifically,the arm member 200 may be translated such that the lower posts of thepair of posts 205 are seated within the recesses within the underside104 of the track portion. The pair of posts 205 and the rotationportions 118 may be configured such that the arm member 200 is forced torotate into an open position, or is able to be rotated into the openposition, such that at least a tip portion of the arm member 200 ispositioned in a spaced relationship from the front face 104 (andpotentially the mounting hook portions 110) of the mounting bracket 100,as shown in FIGS. 8-10 . For example, the thickness of the rotationportions 118 relative to the minimum space between the pairs of posts205 (and the orientation of the rotation portions 118) may force the armmember 200 into the open position. Alternatively, the thickness of therotation portions 118 relative to the minimum space between the pairs ofposts 205 may provide a gap therebetween that allows the arm member 200to be rotated or repositioned (e.g., manually) along a range ororientations that includes degrees of the open position (i.e., a rangeof positions/orientations with at least a tip portion of the arm member200 being spaced from the front face 104 (and potentially the mountinghook portions 110) of the mounting bracket 100, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 .Each recess of the rotation portion 180 may comprise a lip or rear stopend surface to aid in holding at least the lower posts 205 in therecesses when the locking arm is in the open position. The rear stop endsurfaces of the rotation recesses of the rotation portions 180 may bedistal to a respective guide portion 115 and be configured to engagewith and retain one of the lower projections 205 and retain the armmember 200 in the open orientation. In some embodiments, the recessesand any post retention means such as, but not limited to, lips or backstops could be altered for example, without limitation, in depth, curve,angle, etc. based on the type and configuration of the arm member 200.In some embodiment, the rotation portions 180 may be implemented withoutretention means for the recesses thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6 , the arm member 200 may include a hooked tipportion 227. The hooked tip 227 of the arm member 200 may engage withhanging hardware on the object being hung. The hooked tip 227 of the armmember 200 may form a projection that extends outwardly toward the frontside 102 of the mounting bracket 100 in the closed position and/ortoward the base portion of the arm member 200. A projection portion 215(e.g., arcuately convex projection) on the underside (potentially nearthe center of arm member 200) of the arm member 200 may act to ensurethat the hanging hardware or other portion of the object being hung isseated correctly onto the hook members 110 of the mounting bracket 100and/or may substantially inhibit the object from disengaging the hookmembers 110. The arm member 200 may take a generally convex shape (e.g.,arcuately convex shape) with respect to the front or outwardly-facingside of the device 300. In some embodiments, the underside of the armmember 200 may include at least one projection or recess.

The mounting bracket 100 (and the device 300 as a whole) may be coupledto a mounting surface with the arm member 200 mounted on the guideportions 115 (in the closed position) or with the arm member 200 mountedon the rotation portions 118 (in the open or closed positions). Thoseskilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordancewith the teachings of the present disclosure, that a multiplicity ofsuitable means may be used to mount the mounting bracket 100 of theself-locking/closing device 300 to a mounting surface including, withoutlimitation, adhesive strips, nails, screws, glue, hook and loopmaterial, magnets (for metal surfaces), brackets, suction cups, morticeand tenon joint, other carpentry joints, etc.

In the open position of the arm member 200, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 , aportion of an object may be positioned between the front face 106 of thefront side 102 of the mounting bracket 100 and the arm member 200, andpotentially on upper sides of the hook portions 110. The arm member 200may then be rotated on/in the mounting portions 118 into the closedposition and translated downwardly onto and along the guide member 115to trap or contain the portion of the object between the arm member 200and the front face 106 of the mounting bracket 100 (e.g., at least thefront face 104 of the track portion) and/or at least a portion of thehook portions 110 (if provided), as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 . Whenmoved into the closed position, the arm member 200 may serve as a guideto direct the object onto the hook portions 110 (if present). Forexample, the curved portion 225 and/or the hooked tip 227 of the armmember 200 may aid in guiding the object onto the hook portions 110 (ifpresent).

In the open orientation/position of the arm member 200, as shown inFIGS. 8-10 , the tip portion 227 may be positioned distal to the frontside 102 and front face 106 of the mounting bracket 100 as compared toit in the closed orientation/position. Stated differently, in the openorientation/position of the arm member 200, the tip portion 227 may bespaced from the front side 102 and front face 106 of the mountingbracket 100 to a greater extent than as compared to it in the closedorientation/position, as shown in FIGS. 8-12 .

The arm member 200 may thereby be angled with respect to the front side102 and/or front face 106 of the mounting bracket 100 when in the openorientation/position, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 . In some embodiments, inthe open position/orientation of the arm member 200, the tip or endportion may be spaced above the front side 102 and/or front face 106 ofthe mounting bracket 100 by less than or equal to 120 degrees, less thanor equal to 100 degrees, less than or equal to 90 degrees, less than orequal to 75 degrees, less than or equal to 45 degrees or less than orequal to 30 (e.g., measured between the underside of the tip portion 227of the arm member 200 and the front face 106 from the projections 205engaging the front face of the track portion with respect to a top sideof the mounting bracket 100). In some embodiments, in the openposition/orientation of the arm member 200, the tip or end portion maybe spaced above the front side 102 and/or front face 106 of the mountingbracket 100 within the range of about 120 degrees and about 10 degrees,within the range of about 120 degrees and about 30 degrees, within therange of about 90 degrees and about 30 degrees, or within the range ofabout 60 degrees and about 30 degrees (e.g., measured between theunderside of the tip portion 227 of the arm member 200 and the frontface 106 from the projections 205 engaging the front face of the trackportion with respect to a top side of the mounting bracket 100).

As also shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the arm member 200 may be translateddownwardly along the guide portions 115 to the curved lip end portions117. As explained above, the curved lip end portions 117 may beconfigured to force the arm member 200 into an orientation such that thetip of the arm member 200 extends into and through the slot 116 andto/past the backside 124 of the mounting bracket 100. As the backside124 of the mounting bracket 100 is affixed to the mounting surface, thecurved lip end portions 117 act to reorient or rotate the arm member 200into an orientation such that the tip of the arm member 200 extends intoand through the slot 116 and into abutment with the backside 124 of themounting bracket 100. In this way, when a portion of the object extendsbetween the arm member 200 and the front face 106 of the mountingbracket 100 (e.g., at least the front face 104 of the track portion)and/or at least a portion of the hook portions 110 (if provided), theguide portions 115 and the curved lip end portions 117 prevent the armmember 200 from rotating to the open position, and the curved lip endportions 117 act to close the position of the arm member 200, to lockthe arm member 200 in the closed position. The curved lip end portions117 also thereby prevent the arm member 300 from translating off thetrack portion (i.e., over and past the curved lip end portions 117themselves).

The following example describes how the self-locking/closing device 300may be used to hang an object with a hanging wire on a mounting surface.First, the arm member 200 may be mounted on the track portion of themounting bracket 100 by engaging the pairs of posts 205 with the curvedlip end portions 117, as shown in FIG. 7 . Specifically, the arm member200 and the mounting bracket may be relatively oriented and positionedsuch that the curved lip end portions 117 extend between the pairs ofposts 205 of the arm member 200, with the arm member extends past theback side of the mounting bracket 100. The arm member 200 may then beslid along the curved lip end portions 117, and thereby rotated to theclosed position, to the guide portions 115, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The arm member 200 may then be slid along the guide portions 115 inthe closed position to the rotation portions 118, as shown in FIGS. 8-10. The rotation portions 118 may then allow the arm member 200 to berotated into the open position to accept the hanging wire between thearm member 200 and the mounting bracket 100, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 .The mounting bracket 100 may be affixed to the mounting surface with thearm member 200 engaged with the guide portions 115 in the closedposition or the arm member 200 engaged with the rotation portions 118 inthe closed or open positions.

With the mounting bracket 100 affixed to the mounting surface, and thearm member 200 engaged with the rotation portions 118 and oriented inthe open position, an object (e.g., a wire, ring, hook, opening, etc.)may then be loaded onto the arm member 200 and/or the hook portions 110.Once the arm member is engaged by the object, the weight of the objectmay force the arm member 200 to rotate into the closed position, andpotentially down the track portion, to locking object between arm member300 and the front of mounting bracket 100 (i.e., hanging the object iswhat closes the arm member 200). In some embodiment, the arm member 200may naturally slide down, or manually slid down, the guide portions 115in the closed position such that the object engages and is supported bythe hook portions 110 (i.e., hooks onto the hook portions 110). In someother embodiments, the arm member 200 may naturally slide down, ormanually slid down, the guide portions 115 in the closed position sothat the pairs of posts 205 engage the curved lip end portions 117. Asdescribed above, the curved lip end portions 117 may act to force orrotate the arm member 300 toward the backside 124 of the mountingbracket 100, thereby further locking the arm member 300 in the closedposition. The curved lip end portions 117 may thereby may substantiallyinhibit the installation or removal of the arm member 200 when mountingbracket 100 is mounted to the mounting surface, and the object may besupported (i.e., hanging) by the arm member 200 at the front face of themounting bracket 100. Moreover, with arm member 200 locked in the closedposition, the object cannot be pulled away from the mounting surface orthe mounting bracket 100 due to the engagement of the posts 205 on theguide portions 115 and/or the rotation portions 118. It is noted thatthe pairs of posts 205 also prevent the arm member 200 from rotatingfrom the closed position to the open position, and thereby lock theobject to the device 200, as it slides down the guide portions 115 asdiscussed above.

If desired, to remove the object from the mounting surface, the objectmay be removed by lifting the object upwardly, and thereby lifting orpulling the arm member 200 up along the guide portions 115 and to/intorotation portions 118 to allow the arm member 200 to rotate into theopen position, thereby allowing the object to be removed from betweenthe mounting bracket 200 and the arm member 200.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, in light ofand in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, thatsome device embodiments may comprise alternatively designed mountingbrackets 100, hook members 110 and/or arm members 200 than thosedepicted in FIGS. 1-12 to allow or suit particular objects. For example,without limitation, some embodiments may be implemented with thinner armmembers 200 and/or differently shaped hook members 110 on the mountingbracket 100 than those depicted in FIGS. 1-12 , such as to hang aparticular object, for example. As another example, some embodiments maybe specifically configured to hang keys, to mount televisions or otherheavy objects, to hang curtains, mount a kayak, hold bags, pottedplants, wires, etc.

An exemplary embodiment of a mounting bracket for a self-locking/closingdevice for hanging objects on a mounting surface according to thepresent disclosure is shown in FIG. 14 and generally indicated with thereference numeral 600. Some aspects, elements and/or functions ofexemplary mounting bracket 600 are the same or similar in structureand/or function, at least in part, to the exemplary mounting bracket 100described above and shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-12 , and therefore thedescription above directed to like components, aspects, configurations,functions or processes (and the alternative embodiments thereof) equallyapplies to the mounting bracket 600.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the mounting bracket 600 differs from the mountingbracket 100 in that the mounting bracket 600 is void of the hookportions 110. Further, the mounting bracket 600 includes a support orcross member 605 that extends across an upper portion of the slot 616 ofthe track portion. In some embodiments, the support member 605 may bepositioned above the rotation portions of the track portion. In someother embodiments, the support member 605 may be positioned between thecurved lip end portions 617 and the rotation portions.

The mounting bracket 600 and the support member 605 may be configured tosupport and hang an object via an arm member (rather than hook portions,for example). For example, the arm member may be configured to engagethe support member 605 to prevent the arm member from sliding down thetrack portion to the curved lip end portions 617 and/or further lock thearm member in the closed position.

An exemplary embodiment of a self-locking/closing device for hangingobjects on a mounting surface 795 according to the present disclosure isshown in FIG. 15 and generally indicated with the reference numeral 700.Some aspects, elements and/or functions of exemplaryself-locking/closing device 700 are the same or similar in structureand/or function, at least in part, to the exemplary self-locking/closingdevice 300 described above and shown in FIG. 1-13D, and therefore thedescription above directed to like components, aspects, configurations,functions or processes (and the alternative embodiments thereof) equallyapplies to the self-locking/closing device 700. Further, the mountingbracket 711 of the self-locking/closing device 700 is substantiallysimilar to the mounting bracket 600 of FIG. 14 , and therefore thedescription above directed to like components, aspects, configurations,functions or processes (and the alternative embodiments thereof) equallyapplies to the mounting bracket 711.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the self-locking/closing device 700 mayinclude an arm member 720 that differs from arm member 200 in that theunderside 725 of the arm member 720 is void of a projection and definesa concave shape. Further, the arm member 720 defines a general arcuateshape that is defined by a smaller radius than that of the arm member200. The arm member 720 may be particularly advantageous hanging smallobjects (keys, jewelry, handbags, etc.) via the arm member 720. Forexample, the arm member 720 may be particularly advantageous for usewith the mounting bracket 711 that is void of hook portions, as shown inFIGS. 17 and 18 , for example. The hooked tip portion 727 of the armmember 720 may be configured to engage or hang on the support or crossmember 770 of the mounting bracket 711 that extends across an upperportion of the slot 716 of the track portion of the mounting bracket 711to maintain the arm member 720 in the closed position, as shown in FIGS.17 and 18 .

As also shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , the mounting bracket 711 may beintegral or of one piece-construction (potentially monolithic). Thebackside 724 of the mounting bracket 711 (opposing the front face 706 ofthe front side 702) may thereby be coupled to and abut the mountingsurface 795 in use. The mounting bracket 711 may thereby include anopening or recess (not shown, see FIGS. 3 and 20 ) about the trackportion such that the mounting surface 795 does not interfere with theoperation of the arm member 720 and the track portion of the mountingbracket 711 (e.g., the pair of posts 705 of the arm member 720 operatingalong the guide portions 715 to the curved lip end portions 717 and/orthe rotation portions 718 of the mounting bracket 711).

Another exemplary embodiment of a mounting bracket for aself-locking/closing device for hanging objects on a mounting surfaceaccording to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 18-20 andgenerally indicated with the reference numeral 800. Some aspects,elements and/or functions of exemplary mounting bracket 800 are the sameor similar in structure and/or function, at least in part, to theexemplary mounting bracket 100 described above and shown in FIGS. 1-3and 7-13D, the exemplary mounting bracket 600 described above and shownin FIG. 14 , and the exemplary mounting bracket 711 described above andshown in FIGS. 16 and 17 , and therefore the description above directedto like components, aspects, configurations, functions or processes (andthe alternative embodiments thereof) equally applies to the mountingbracket 800.

As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , the mounting bracket 800 differs from themounting bracket 100 in that the hook portions 810 are positionedbetween the curved lip end portions 817 and the rotation portions 818 ofthe track portion. Further, mounting bracket 800 includes a throughaperture or hole 872 above the slot 816 that extends from the front face806 to the backside surface 824, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 20 . Theaperture 872 may be utilized to affix the mounting bracket 800 to amounting surface, such as via a fastener (e.g., a nail or screw)extending therethrough and into the mounting surface.

The mounting bracket 800 also differs from the mounting bracket 100 andthe mounting bracket 711 in that the mounting bracket 800 includes boththe hook portions 810 and the support or cross member 870 in the slot816 of the track portion.

As also shown in FIGS. 19-20 , the mounting bracket 800 differs from themounting bracket 13 in that it is integral or of one piece-construction(potentially monolithic). As shown in FIG. 20 , the back side 804 of themounting bracket 800 includes an opening or recess aligned with thetrack portion such that the track portion is spaced from the backsidesurface 824 that coupled to and abuts the mounting surface. The openingor recess aligned in the back side 804 of the mounting bracket 800thereby prevents the mounting surface from interfering with theoperation of an arm member and the track portion of the mounting bracket800 (e.g., the guide portions 815 and/or rotation portions 818 of themounting bracket 800).

Another exemplary embodiment of a self-locking/closing device forhanging objects on a mounting surface according to the presentdisclosure is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 and generally indicated with thereference numeral 900. Many of the aspects, elements and/or functions ofthe exemplary self-locking/closing device 900 are the same or similar instructure and/or function, at least in part, to the exemplary mountingbracket 100 described above and shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-13D, theexemplary mounting bracket 600 described above and shown in FIG. 14 ,the exemplary mounting bracket 711 described above and shown in FIGS. 16and 17 , and the exemplary mounting bracket 800 described above andshown in FIGS. 18-20 , and therefore the description above directed tolike components, aspects, configurations, functions or processes (andthe alternative embodiments thereof) equally applies to theself-locking/closing device 900.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 , the self-locking/closing hanging device900 differs from the previously discussed embodiments in that themounting bracket is a multi-piece mounting bracket. For example, themulti-piece mounting bracket comprises a first mounting bracket 911A andsecond mounting bracket 911 that is separate and distinct from the firstmounting bracket 911A, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 . The first andsecond mounting brackets 911A, 911B are configured such that they arespaced laterally next to each other when coupled to/on the mountingsurface 995. The first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B areconfigured to form the slot or recess 916 therebetween. The firstmounting bracket 911A thereby comprises a first guide, track or railportion 115 (potentially with a first curved lip end portion 917) thatdefines a first side of the slot 916, and the second mounting bracket911B thereby comprises a second guide, track or rail portion 115(potentially with a second curved lip end portion 917) that defines asecond side of the slot 916.

The first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B are configured to beseparately coupled to the mounting surface 995 in a laterally spacedarrangement so that the slot 916 is formed therebetween. For example,the first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B may be coupled via anadhesive and/or at least one fixation member (e.g., a screw or nail) toseparately affix the first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B tothe mounting surface 995. It is noted that the support or cross member970 may be part of, or pre-assembled with, one of the first and secondmounting brackets 911A, 911B. In some other embodiments, the crossmember 970 may be a third separate and distinct component that iscoupled to at least one of the first and second mounting brackets 911A,911B. The cross member 970 may act as a spacer to properly or accuratelyspace the first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B apart toaccommodate the arm member 920 in the slot 916 and in engagement withthe track portions 915. Alternatively, as also discussed above, thedevice 900 may not include the cross member 970.

In some embodiments, the hanging device 900 may include a template orspacing device or member that is used to properly or accurately orientand space the first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B apart toaccommodate the arm member 920 in the slot 916 and in engagement withthe track portions 915. It is also noted that the relative positions ofthe first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B, when affixed to themounting surface 995, along the height direction (i.e., a directionextending along the length of slot 916 and track portions) must besubstantially aligned so that the rotation portions 918 (and the curvedlip end portions 917, if included) are substantially aligned. In someembodiments, the alignment of the first and second mounting brackets911A, 911B along the height direction may be accomplished via aligningthe top and/or bottom ends thereof when affixing them to the mountingsurface 995.

The separate and distinct first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911Ballow for use of different arm members 920 in the system 900. As thefirst and second mounting brackets 911A, 911B can be positioned atdifferent lateral spacings, the width of the slot 916 can be varies toaccommodate arm members 920 of differing widths. For example, arelatively large arm member 920 with a relatively wide base portion 905may be used with the first and second mounting brackets 911A, 911Battached to the mounting surface 995 at a relatively wide spacing.Alternatively, a relatively small arm member 920 with a relativelynarrow base portion 905 may be used with the first and second mountingbrackets 911A, 911B attached to the mounting surface 995 at a relativelynarrow spacing.

Another exemplary embodiment of a self-locking/closing device forhanging objects on a mounting surface according to the presentdisclosure is shown in FIGS. 23-30 and generally indicated with thereference numeral 1000. Many of the aspects, elements and/or functionsof the exemplary self-locking/closing device 1000 are the same orsimilar in structure and/or function, at least in part, to the exemplarymounting bracket 100 described above and shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-13D,the exemplary mounting bracket 600 described above and shown in FIG. 14, the exemplary mounting bracket 711 described above and shown in FIGS.16 and 17 , the exemplary mounting bracket 800 described above and shownin FIGS. 18-20 , and the exemplary self-locking/closing device 900described above and shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 , and therefore thedescription above directed to like components, aspects, configurations,functions or processes (and the alternative embodiments thereof) equallyapplies to the self-locking/closing device 1000.

As shown in FIGS. 23-30 , the self-locking/closing hanging device 1000differs from the previously discussed embodiments in that the trackportion does not include the pair of lip portions that allow the armmember 1020 to be installed in/assembled with, and decoupledfrom/disassembled with, the track portion (specifically, the guideportions 1015 and the slot 1016). Rather, as shown in FIGS. 23-29 , thebottom end of the guide portion is consistent and end without anywidened portion or opening in the slot 1016. Rather, the bottom endportion of the guide position is closed but for the slot 1016. The slot1016 is thereby consistent along the length of the mounting bracket1011.

The base portion 1005 of the arm member 1025 is configured such that itis trapped by the track/guide portions 1015 within the rearrecess/indentation between the track/guide portions 115 and the mountingsurface 1095. Accordingly, the arm member 1020 can be assembled with themounting bracket 1011 prior to affixing the mounting bracket 1011 to themounting surface 1095 by inserting the tip portion 1027 of the armmember 1020 into and through the slot 1019 from the back side 1024 tothe front side 1016 of the mounting bracket 1011, and translating thearm member 1020 through the slot 1016 until the base portion 1005 ispositioned within the rear or inner recess of the track/guide portions1015 as shown in FIG. 24 . The device 1000 can then be affixed to amounting surface 1095 with the rear/back side/surface 1024 of themounting bracket 1011 facing and proximate to (and potentiallyabutting/engaging) the mounting surface 1095 to trap the based portion1005 of the arm member 1020 within the rear or inner recess of thetrack/guide portions 1015 (as shown FIG. 24 ).

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 27-30 , the base portion 1005 of the arm member1020 may only include a single pair of projections that extend on eitherside of the medial arm portion of the arm member 1020. In someembodiments, the projections may comprise an end portion of the armmember 1020 from which the arm portion extends. In this way, theprojections may be singular structure that defines a width D1 that iswider than the arm portion, and wider than the slot 1016. The enlargedwith of the projections/base portion 1005, along with the configurationof the arm portion, acts to prevent the proj ections/base portion 1005from passing through the slot 1016 formed between the track/guideportion 1015.

As shown in FIGS. 24, 25 and 28 the projections/base portion 1005 of thearm member 1020 and the rotation portions 1018 of the inner/back/rearindentation/recess of the guide/track portions 1015 are configured suchthat when the projections/base portion 1005 are positioned within therotation portions 1018, the projections/base portion 1005 (and therebythe arm member 1020 as a whole) is able to rotate relative to themounting bracket 1011 into the open orientation or position, as shown inFIGS. 24 and 25 . In some embodiments, the projections/base portion 1005may define a back or rear surface that engages with the end/end wall ofthe rotation portions 1018 when in the fully open position, which maytend to retain the arm member 1020 in the open position. In some suchembodiments, the back/rear surface of the projections/base portion 1005and the end/end wall of the rotation portions 1018 may be cooperativelyshaped so that they retainingly engage in the open position of the armmember 1020, such as both being substantially planar, substantiallycooperatively concave and convex, or another “mating” arrangement suchthat portions of them engage and retain the arm member 1020 in the openorientation. In some embodiments, the depth of the end/end wall of therotation portions 1018 and the length L1 of the back/rear surface of theprojections/base portion 1005 may be substantially similar.

As described above, a top portion of the projections/base portion 1005that engaged with the inner surfaces of the indentations/recesses of theguide/track portions 1015 may be arcuate or otherwise configured suchthat they tend to rotate the projections/base portion 1005 (and therebythe arm member 1020 as a whole) into the open orientation when it/theyengage the front portion of the rotation portions 1018. For example, thetop portion of the projections/base portion 1005 may be convex, such asarcuately convex (e.g., circular). Further, the length L1 and height H1of the projections/base portion 1005 are configured relative to therotation portions 1018 such that the projections/base portion 1005 (andthereby the arm member 1020 as a whole) is able to rotate from theclosed/locked orientation to the open orientation when positioned in therotation portions 1018, as described in detail above with respect toother embodiments.

Conversely, the projections/base portion 1005 of the arm member 1020 andthe rear/inner indentations/recesses of guide/track portions 1015 arerelatively configured (e.g., such as the relative widths and heightsthereof) such that the projections/base portion 1005 are/is only able tobe positioned therein (and translate there along), between the mountingbracket 1011 and the mounting surface 1095, when the arm member 1020 isin the closed/locked orientation, as shown in FIG. 26 . Theprojections/base portion 1005 can be sized and shaped so that it/theycannot be rotated into the open position when in the rear/innerindentations/recesses of guide/track portions 1015, such as being sizedand shaped in the length L1 and height H1 directions. The width W1 ofthe projections/base portion 1005 may also be sized relative to that ofthe rear/inner indentations/recesses of guide/track portions 1015 sothat they substantially match, and thereby prevent or inhibit rotationof the arm member 1020 in a plane extending parallel to the front face10006 and/or back face 1024. However, the projections/base portion 1005of the arm member 1020 and the rear/inner indentations/recesses ofguide/track portions 1015 are relatively configured to allow theprojections/base portion 1005 (and thereby the arm member 1020 as awhole) to travel/translate along the length of the slot 1016 and theguide/track portions 1015. It is noted that in the exemplary device1000, the guide/track portions 1015 of the arm member 1020 are notpresent (or include a part or portion that is present) at the top side1006 of the guide/track portions 1015. Rather, the entirety of theprojections/base portion 1005 is positioned between the rear/innerindentations/recesses of guide/track portions 1015 and the mountingsurface 1095.

In some embodiments, not shown, a mounting bracket and an arm member mayinclude an electrical component or connections that are configured toclose an electrical circuit (or open an electrical circuit) or otherwisecreate an electrical signal based on the position of the arm memberrelative to the mounting plate. In such an embodiment, the mountingbracket and/or arm member may include a visual indicator (e.g., a light,such as an LED light) and/or audible indicator (e.g., speaker) thatindicates when the arm member is closed/fully closed or open, and/or therelative position of the arm member along the slot/guide portions, forexample. It is noted that a power source to power the circuitry andelectrical components would thus be required in such an embodiment, suchas potentially being coupled to/in the mounting bracket. In soneembodiments, the electrical circuit can be utilized to selectivelyprovide electrical current/power to another electrical device. Forexample, the electrical components of the mounting bracket and the armmember may be configured such that when the arm member is in theclosed/locked position, the electrical circuit is open (e.g., andthereby electrical current/power is not provided to the other electricaldevice) or closed (e.g., and thereby electrical current/power isprovided to the other electrical device), and when the arm member is inthe open/unlocked position, the electrical circuit is the other of openor closed. It is noted that in this embodiment, the other electricaldevice can be a light/Led, NFC device, or any other electrical device.In some embodiments, the mounting bracket may comprise a plurality ofelectrical contacts poisoned along the length of the track portion/slotthat interact with one or more electrical contacts of the arm memberwhen the arm member is positioned in corresponding particularlocations/areas along the track portion/slot. The plurality of contactsof the mounting bracket and the at least one contact of the arm membermay thereby act as a plurality of circuits or switches. Such pluralityof circuits or switches can thereby be configured to control differentcircuits to produce different visual and/or acoustic and/or physical (orelectrical) effects based on the relative position and/or orientation ofthe arm member. The plurality of circuits or switches can power and/orcontrol any number of electrical devices, such as an NFC device or tagor another electrical device, so as to effectuate different outputsbased on the relative position and/or orientation of the arm member. Asnoted above, the other electrical device may or may not be spaced orremote to the hanging device (and coupled thereto via an electricalconnection (or wirelessly)).

It is believed that the present embodiments enable objects to be securedto a mounting surface in a locked manner, without the need for specialequipment or tools. The present embodiment does not require the objectbeing hung to be altered, and does not requires a special hanginghardware on the object. The present embodiments thereby allow for easymounting and removal of objects on mounting surfaces.

In some applications, the self-locking/closing devices of the presentdisclosure may be mounted in different ways and/or on different mountingsurfaces to provide various different functions. For example, withoutlimitation, some embodiments may be mounted on a table, floor or otherhorizontal or non-vertical mounting surface. For example, suchembodiments may serve to attach an object to a floor, such as a broom orsweeping device (e.g., latch the handle of the broom to the floor).Other such embodiments may be used for attaching larger items to ahorizontal or non-vertical mounting surface (e.g., a snow blower,lawnmower, etc.), such as via a wire or other member/device tosubstantially inhibit the device from moving around in the mountingsurface. The mounting bracket and/or locking arm mechanism in suchembodiments may be larger, and potentially made of a metal material(such as, but not limited to, steel). In some other embodiments, themounting surface may be a ceiling or other elevated downwardly-facingsurface. For example, the mounting surface may be a ceiling and theself-locking/closing device may be utilized to hold hanging plants orother objects to the ceiling. In some embodiments configured forelevated downwardly-facing mounting surfaces, the self-locking/closingdevice may comprise inversely curved hanging hooks/arms and/or a lockingmechanism that may be manually guided along the track portion.

In some embodiments, the track portion, guide portions, curved endportions or a combination thereof be separate and distinct componentsfrom the mounting bracket (and/or themselves) that are coupled to themounting bracket. Such embodiments may also comprise a locking or armmechanism with posts that engage with the tracks. It is contemplatedthat in some embodiments with the track portion being a distinctcomponent comprising one or two distinct guide portions, the guideportions may include the curved end portions at one end and notches inthe opposite ends. However, the track portion, guide portion and/orcurved end portions may be altered to function differently than thosedescribed by way of example in the foregoing.

In some embodiments, a mounting bracket may contain multiple rotationportions along the length of a track portion, and/or multiple trackportions, and/or multiple arm members.

While the inventions have been described in detail in connection withonly a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understoodthat the inventions are not limited to such disclosed embodiments.Rather, the inventions can be modified to incorporate any number ofvariations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements notheretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit andscope of the inventions. Additionally, while various embodiments of theinventions have been described, it is to be understood that aspects ofthe disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments, andaspects on one embodiment may equally or similarly be incorporated intoany other embodiment. For example, the components and features of themounting brackets of FIGS. 1-2 and 7-13D, FIG. 3 , FIG. 13 , FIGS. 15and 16 and FIGS. 17-19 may be used interchangeably and in alternativecombinations as would be modified or altered by one of ordinary skill inthe art. As another example, the components and features of the lockingarm members of FIG. 4-13D, FIG. 15 and FIGS. 16 and 17 may be usedinterchangeably and in alternative combinations as would be modified oraltered by one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the inventionsare not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is onlylimited by the scope of the appended claims.

This written description uses examples to disclose the inventions,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the inventions, including making and using any devicesor systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scopeof the inventions are defined by the claims, and may include otherexamples that occur to those skilled in the art. For example, such otherexamples are intended to be within the scope of the claims, such as ifthey have structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims or if they include equivalent structural elementswith insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularaspect, function or material to the teachings of the various embodimentswithout departing from their scope. While any dimensions and/or types ofmaterials described herein are intended to define the parameters of thevarious embodiments, they are by no means limiting and are merelyexemplary.

Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The scope of the variousembodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,”and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended toimpose numerical requirements on their objects. Also, the terms“coupled”, “affixed” or the like are used herein to refer to bothconnections resulting from separate, distinct components being directlyor indirectly coupled together and components being integrally formed(e.g., of one-piece construction or monolithic).

Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure. It is to be understood that notnecessarily all such objects or advantages described above may beachieved in accordance with any particular embodiment.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the devices, systems andtechniques described herein may be embodied or carried out in a mannerthat achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages astaught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantagesas may be taught or suggested herein.

I claim:
 1. A device for hanging an object on a mounting surface,comprising: a mounting bracket comprising a front side, a back side forcoupling to the mounting surface, and an elongate track portion, whereinthe track portion comprises a pair of guide portions defining a throughslot therebetween and rear recesses extending in a back side of theguide portions, and wherein the rear recesses form a lower lockingportion of the track portion and an upper rotation portion of the trackportion that includes rear recesses that are deeper from the back sideto the front side than the lower locking portion; and a locking armmember for holding an object translatably coupled with the track portionof the mounting bracket, the arm member comprising a base portionpositioned within the rear recesses and an arm portion extending fromthe base portion through the slot and to a tip portion, wherein the baseportion of the arm member and the rear recesses of the track portion areconfigured such that: when the base portion of the arm member ispositioned within the lower locking portion of the track portion, thearm member is retained in a closed orientation with the tip portionbeing positioned proximate to the front side of the mounting bracket;and when the base portion of the arm member is positioned within theupper rotation portion of the track portion, the arm member is freelyrotatable with respect to the mounting bracket between the closedorientation and an open orientation with the tip portion beingpositioned distal to the front side of the mounting bracket.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein, when the arm member is in the closedorientation, the tip portion is positioned within the slot.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein, in the open orientation, the tip portion ofthe arm member is spaced above the front side of the mounting bracketwithin the range of 15 degrees to 120 degrees.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the back side of the mounting bracket comprises an engagementsurface for engaging the mounting surface, and wherein recesses compriseunderside surfaces of at least the pair of guide portions that arespaced from the engagement surface.
 5. The device of claim 4, whereinthe recesses of the upper rotation portion comprise upper end surfacesthat extend to the engagement surface, the upper end surfaces definingan upper end of the rear recesses.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein therecesses of the upper rotation portion comprise lower end surfaces thatextend from the lower locking, the lower end surfaces extending deeperand toward the upper end surfaces.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein thelower end surfaces are at least partially arcuately convex.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the shape and size of the base portion of thearm member in depth and length directions relative to that of the rearrecesses of the lower locking portion of the track portion areconfigured such that the base portion of the arm member is translatablealong the lower locking portion with the arm portion extending throughthe slot, and prevented from rotating into the open orientation.
 9. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein the shape and size of the base portion of thearm member in the depth and length directions relative to that of therear recesses of the upper rotation portion of the track portion areconfigured such that the base portion of the arm member is translatableinto the upper rotation portion from the lower locking portion with thearm portion extending through the slot, and being freely rotatablebetween the closed orientation and the open orientation.
 10. The deviceof claim 9, wherein arm member is translatable into the upper rotationportion from the lower locking portion with the arm portion extendingthrough the slot and the arm being in the closed orientation or apartially closed orientation.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein theshape and size of the base portion of the arm member in depth and lengthdirections relative to that of the rear recesses of the upper rotationportion of the track portion are configured such that the base portionof the arm member is translatable into the upper rotation portion fromthe lower locking portion with the arm portion extending through theslot, and being freely rotatable between the closed orientation and theopen orientation.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the track portionfurther comprises a support member that extends across the slot.
 13. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein the tip portion of the arm member comprisesa hook projection, and wherein the hook projection is configured toengage the support member when the arm member is in the closedorientation and positioned in a locking position along the trackportion.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein a first guide portion of thepair of guide portions comprises a first planar front surface at thefront side of the mounting bracket on a first side of the slot, and asecond guide portion of the pair of guide portions comprises a secondplanar front surface at the front side of the mounting bracket on asecond side of the slot.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the pair ofguide portions comprises a first guide portion on a first side of theslot, and a second guide portion on a second side of the slot, andwherein the first and second guide portions are integral.
 16. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the pair of guide portions comprises a first guideportion on a first side of the slot, and a second guide portion on asecond side of the slot, and wherein the first and second guide portionscomprise separate and distinct components of the mounting bracket. 17.The device of claim 1, wherein a top portion of the base portioncomprises an arcuately convex rotation surface, and wherein a bottomportion of the base portion comprises a retention surface that engagesupper end surfaces of the rotation portion of the rear recesses.
 18. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a pair of lateralprojections that extend laterally past respective lateral side surfacesof a portion of the arm portion that extends from the base portion. 19.The device of claim 1, wherein the arm member includes at least onefirst electrical contact, and the mounting bracket includes at least onesecond electrical contact, and wherein the first and second contacts areconfigured to be engaged when the arm member is oriented in one of theopen or closed orientations.
 20. The device of claim 1, wherein themounting bracket further comprises at least one hook portion extendingfrom the front side, the at least one hook portion including at leastone upper support surface configured to physically support a portion ofthe object thereon.